*

Black Bream is a primarily estuarine species found around Australia's southern coastline. Assessments are presented here for nine management units, distributed along the coasts of NSW, VIC, TAS, SA and WA. Of these units, three are classified as sustainable, one as recovering, one as depleted, and four as undefined.

Black Bream have a wide distribution in the estuaries of southern Australia from central New South Wales to the central Western Australian coast, including Tasmania [Kailola et al. 1993]. Black Bream are estuarine-dependent, completing much of their life cycle within a single estuary [Chaplin et al. 1997; Conron et al. 2016; Earl et al. 2016]. Genetic studies of Black Bream in Victoria and Western Australia have indicated that, while there has been gene flow between adjacent estuaries, there is evidence of isolation by distance between populations [Chaplin et al. 1997; Farrington et al. 2000; Burridge et al. 2004; Burridge and Versace 2007; Sarakinis et al. 2024]. Results of tagging studies conducted in the Swan River [Norriss et al. 2002], Gippsland Lakes [Butcher and Ling 1962; Hindell et al. 2008] and the Coorong estuary [Hall 1984] found limited or no evidence of coastal migration or emigration between estuaries. This indicates that estuarine Black Bream populations should be managed as distinct biological stocks. However, for most fisheries management agencies this is not practical.

Black Bream and the closely related Yellowfin Bream, Acanthopagrus australis, also exhibit considerable levels of hybridisation where their distributions overlap in south-eastern Australia [Farrington et al. 2000; Roberts et al. 2009, 2010, 2011; Ochwada-Doyle et al. 2012], further complicating status determination. Furthermore, Black Bream growth, size- and age-at-maturity and recruitment are strongly influenced by environmental conditions, particularly freshwater influx into estuaries [Norriss et al. 2002; Cottingham 2008]. It is therefore likely that over local scales at least, annual recruitment strength depends on environmental conditions, with substantial inter-annual variation in recruitment affecting individual stock demographics and biomasses. These environmental drivers complicate management across multiple catchments.

Here, assessment of stock status is presented at the management unit level—Western Australia West Coast Estuaries, Western Australia South Coast Estuaries (Western Australia); Southern New South Wales (New South Wales); Victoria Western Estuaries, The Gippsland Lakes, Victoria Eastern Estuaries (Victoria); Tasmania Scalefish Fishery (Tasmania); Lakes and Coorong Fishery and South Australia Marine Scalefish Fishery (South Australia).

Western Australia South Coast Estuaries

In each estuary, Black Bream is known to constitute a genetically discrete population [Chaplin et al. 1997] and temporal variations in recruitment that affect overall population abundance can differ substantially. Trends in annual recruitment vary among estuaries due to the influence of localised events, such as fish kills or favourable environmental conditions that trigger large, episodic recruitment events [Hoeksema et al. 2006]. This assessment has therefore focused on local and regional trends in commercial catch, with consideration also given to species biology and fishery-independent data.

Since 1976 annual commercial catches of Black Bream on the South Coast of Western Australia have fluctuated between a low of 1.4 t in 1976 and a high of 97 t in 1992. Although there have been several peaks and troughs, there has been an overall increasing trend in catch from the 1970s to the present. Although Black Bream are one of the top 10 species caught by recreational boat-based fishers within the region, the recreational harvest is small (approximately 1.6 t) relative to commercial catch [Ryan et al 2022]. The current shore-based recreational catch is unknown but considered likely to comprise a significant share of the catch of this species [Duffy et al. 2023]. Customary catch is unknown but likely to be low or negligible.

Fishery-independent data from 2013 to 2015 for three estuaries, two open to commercial and recreational fishing, and one open to recreational fishing alone, provide evidence that age structures are not truncated [Cottingham et al. 2018]. Maximum age varied slightly between the estuaries (approximately 16 to 19 years) and most age classes were represented in each estuary, Wilson Inlet was the exception with no fish between approximately 12 and 16 years. However, additional data, available for two of those estuaries, indicates that fish mature well below the minimum legal size [Cottingham et al. 2018], therefore commercial and recreational take is composed only of mature fish that have had multiple opportunities to spawn. The information suggests that mortality is not likely to be excessive on the spawning stocks.

The above evidence indicates that the biomass of this stock is unlikely to be depleted and that recruitment is unlikely to be impaired. Furthermore, the current level of fishing mortality is unlikely to cause the stock to become recruitment impaired.

On the basis of the evidence provided above, the Western Australia South Coast Estuaries management unit is classified as a sustainable stock.

Western Australia West Coast Estuaries

IIn each estuary, Black Bream is known to constitute a genetically discrete population [Chaplin et al. 1997] and temporal variations in recruitment that affect overall population abundance can differ substantially between estuaries. Trends in annual recruitment vary among estuaries due to the influence of localised events, such as fish kills, or favourable environmental conditions that trigger large, episodic recruitment events [Hoeksema et al. 2006]. This assessment has therefore focused on local and regional trends in commercial catch, with consideration also given to species biology and fishery-independent data.

Since 1976 annual commercial catches of Black Bream on the West Coast of Western Australia have fluctuated between a low of less than 1 t up to a high of approximately 9 t. The main catches are taken in the Swan Canning Estuary and Hardy Inlet, with very low catches from the Peel-Harvey estuary. Commercial fishing effort in the two main systems is low, with only a single operator fishing each estuary.

Although Black Bream are one of the top 10 species caught by recreational boat-based fishers within the region, the recreational harvest is small (approximately 1.5 t) [Ryan et al 2022]. The current estimate of shore-based recreational catch of Sparidae spp. (including Black Bream) from ongoing Perth Metropolitan surveys is small [Tate et al. 2022], however, the actual catch may be much larger due to the species inhabiting areas not covered by the survey. Customary catch is unknown but likely to be low or negligible.

Fishery-independent age and size data collected for Black Bream in the commercially and recreationally fished Swan River Estuary and the recreationally fished Moore River Estuary, for the periods 1993–94 [Sarre and Potter 2000; Cottingham et al. 2018] and 2013–15 [Cottingham et al. 2018], indicate relatively low fishing pressure in the more recent period for the former estuary, and in both periods for the latter estuary. For the Swan River Estuary, very few fish greater than 6 y were sampled in the former period compared with substantial numbers in the latter period. In the Moore River Estuary, substantial numbers of fish were above 6 y in both periods. Age data collected in 2013–15 for a third estuary on the west coast (Peel-Harvey Estuary) are more truncated than for the other two estuaries during this period, with few fish greater than 6 years [Cottingham et al. 2018]. However, fish in these estuaries mature at less than 3 years and less than 20 cm total length, with the latter being below the minimum legal length of 25 cm [Cottingham et al. 2018]. Therefore, commercial and recreational take is composed only of mature fish that have had multiple opportunities to spawn. The information suggest that the spawning stocks were not overfished at that time.  

The Black Bream population in Hardy Inlet is heavily reliant on a small number of age classes resulting from episodic recruitment events (natural or restocked) [Cottingham et al. 2020], indicating the juvenile recruitment of Black Bream in this system is environmentally limited. Since Hardy Inlet was restocked with Black Bream in 2001/02, there has been only one major natural recruitment event (2008), to which mature restocked fish are estimated to have contributed approximately 55% to egg production in that year [Cottingham et al. 2015]. The presence of fish surviving to relatively old ages in this estuary (most 9+ years old in 2018), suggest that fishing mortality in recent years has not been excessive [Cottingham et al. 2020].

The above evidence indicates that the biomass of this stock is unlikely to be depleted and that recruitment is unlikely to be impaired, although in Hardy Inlet it is environmentally limited. Furthermore, the current level of fishing mortality is unlikely to cause the stock to become recruitment impaired.  

On the basis of the evidence provided above, the Western Australian West Coast Estuaries management unit is classified as a sustainable stock.

Black Bream biology [Kuiter 1993; Sarre and Potter 2000; Walker and Neira 2001; Cheshire et al. 2013]

Distribution of reported commercial catch of Black Bream

New South Wales – Recreational (Catch). Murphy et al. [2022].

New South Wales – Indigenous (Management Methods). (https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/aboriginal-fishing

Victoria - Recreational fishing (Management Methods). Recreational fishing licence requirement, and  minimum legal size, maximum legal size  and a bag limits  apply. For further details see  https://vfa.vic.gov.au/recreational-fishing/recreational-fishing-guide/catch-limits-and-closed-seasons/types-of-fish/marine-and-estuarine-scale-fish/bream-all-species

Victoria – Indigenous (Management Methods). A person who identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is exempt from the need to obtain a Victorian recreational fishing licence, provided they comply with all other rules that apply to recreational fishers, including rules on equipment, catch limits, size limits and restricted areas. Traditional (non-commercial) fishing activities that are carried out by members of a traditional owner group entity under an agreement pursuant to Victoria’s Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 are also exempt from the need to hold a recreational fishing licence, subject to any conditions outlined in the agreement. Native title holders are also exempt from the need to obtain a recreational fishing licence under the provisions of the Commonwealth’s Native Title Act 1993.

Tasmania – Recreational (Management Methods). In Tasmania, a recreational licence is required for fishers using dropline or longline gear, along with nets, such as gillnet or beach seine. The species is subject to a minimum size limit of 250 mm. A bag limit of five individuals and a possession limit of ten individuals is in place for recreational fishers fishing in marine waters.

Tasmania - Indigenous (Management Methods). In Tasmania, Indigenous persons engaged in traditional fishing activities in marine waters are exempt from holding recreational fishing licences but must comply with all other fisheries rules as if they were licensed. For details, see the policy document 'Recognition of Aboriginal Fishing Activities” (https://fishing.tas.gov.au/Documents/Policy%20for%20Aboriginal%20tags%20and%20alloting%20an%20UIC.pdf).

Western Australia – Recreational (Management Methods). In Western Australia a recreational fishing licence is only required for fishing from a boat. Black Bream are subjected to a minimum size limit of 250 mm TL and a bag limit of six (of which only two fish may be over 400 mm TL if fishing in the Swan and Canning rivers).

Commercial catch of Black Bream - note confidential catch not shown

1. Beckmann, CL, Durante, LM, Graba-Landry, A, Stark, KE and Tracey, SR 2023, Survey of Recreational Fishing in South Australia 2021-22. Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic and Livestock Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2022/000385-1. SARDI Research Report Series No. 1161. 185pp.
2. Bell, JD, Ingram, BA, Gorfine, HK and Conron SD 2023, Review of key Victorian fish stocks — 2022, Victorian Fisheries Authority Science Report Series No. 38, First Edition, June 2023. VFA: Queenscliff. 46pp.
3. Burridge, CP and Versace, VL 2007, Population genetic structuring in Acanthopagrus butcheri (Pisces: Sparidae): does low gene flow among estuaries apply to both sexes? Marine Biotechnology 9, 33–44.
4. Burridge, CP, Hurt, AC, Farrington, LW, Coutin, PC and Austin, CM 2004, Stepping stone gene flow in an estuarine dwelling sparid from south‐east Australia. Journal of Fish Biology 64, 805–819.
5. Butcher, AD and Ling, JK 1962, Bream tagging experiments in East Gipsland during April and May 1944. Victorian Naturalist 78, 256–264.
6. Chaplin, JA, Baudains, GA, Gill, HS, Mccullock, R and Potter, IC1997, Are assemblages of black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri) in different estuaries genetically distinct? International Journal of Salt Lake Research, 6(4):303–321.
7. Cheshire, KJM, Ye, Q, Fredberg, LJ and Earl, J 2013, Aspects of reproductive biology of five key species in the Murray Mouth and Coorong. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2009/000014-3 SARDI Research Report Series No 699. 65pp.
8. Conron, S, Giri K, Hall, K and Hamer, P 2016, Gippsland Lakes Fisheries Assessment 2016. Fisheries Victoria Science Report Series No. 14, Fisheries Victoria, Queenscliff.
9. Conron, SD 2004, Evaluation of recreational management controls of commercially important scalefish species. Final Report to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation Project No. 1998/146. Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute, Queenscliff.
10. Conron, SD and Oliveiro, P 2016, State-wide Angler fishing Diary Program 2011–14 Recreational Fishing Grants Program Research Report June 2016. Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Queenscliff. 45 pp.
11. Conron, SD, Grixti D and Morison AK 2010, Survival of snapper and black bream released by recreational hook-and-line fishers in sheltered coastal temperate ecosystems. Final report to Fisheries Research and Development Corporation Project No. 2003/074. Department of Primary Industries, Queenscliff, Victoria.
12. Cottingham, A 2008, The current state of the stock of Black Bream Acanthopagrus butcheri in the Swan-Canning Estuary. Honours Thesis, Murdoch University, Western Australia.
13. Cottingham, A, Hall, NG, Loneragan, NR, Jenkins, GI and Potter, IC 2020, Efficacy of restocking an estuarine-resident species demonstrated by long-term monitoring of cultured fish with alizarin complexone-stained otoliths. A case study. Fisheries Research, 227.
14. Cottingham, A, Huang, P, Hipsey, MR, Hall, NG, Ashworth, E, Williams, J and Potter, IC 2018, Growth, condition, and maturity schedules of an estuarine fish species change in estuaries following increased hypoxia due to climate change. Ecology and Evolution, 8(14), 7111–7130.
15. Cottingham, A. Hall, NG and Potter, IC 2015, Performance and contribution to commercial catches and egg production by restocked Acanthopagrus butcheri (Sparidae) in an estuary. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 164, 194–203.
16. Duffy, R, Harris, D, Brooks, B, Blazeski, S and Quinn, A 2023, South coast estuarine and nearshore scalefish and invertebrate resource status report. In: Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of Western Australia 2021/22: The State of the Fisheries eds. Newman, S.J., Wise, B.S., Santoro, K.G. and Gaughan, D.J. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia. pp. 213-221
17. Earl, J 2023, Assessment of the South Australian Lakes and Coorong Fishery in 2021/22. Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2020/000208-04. SARDI Research Report Series No. 1176. 94pp.
18. Earl, J, Mackay, A and Goldsworthy, S 2021, Developing alternative strategies for managing seal-fisher interactions in the South Australian Lakes and Coorong Fishery. FRDC Project 2016-001. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide.
19. Earl, J, Ward, TM and Ye, Q 2016, Black Bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri) Stock Assessment Report 2014/15. Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2008/000810-2. SARDI Research Report Series No. 885. 44pp.
20. EconSearch 2022, Economic and social indicators for the South Australian Lakes and Coorong Fishery 2020/21. A report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture, prepared by BDO EconSearch, Adelaide. 101 pp.
21. Farrington, LW, Austin, CM and Coutin, PC 2000, Allozyme variation and stock structure in the black bream, Acanthopagrus butcheri (Munro) (Sparidae) in southern Australia: implications for fisheries management, aquaculture and taxonomic relationship with Acanthopagrus australis (Gunther). Fisheries Management and Ecology 7, 265–279.
22. Gray, CA 2022, Variation in growth, length and age characteristics of estuarine Acanthopagrus (Sparidae) populations in New South Wales, Australia. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 55: 102481
23. Hall, DA 1984, The Coorong: Biology of the major fish species and fluctuations in catch rates 1976–1983, SAFIC 8(1), 3–17.
24. Hamer, P, Whitten, A, and Giri, K 2019, Developing tools to inform management risk and improve recreational fishery monitoring for a complex multi-sector, multi-jurisdiction fishery: the ‘Western Victorian Snapper Stock’. Final Report, FRDC project 2013/201, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.
25. Hindell, JS, Jenkins, GP and Womersley, B 2008, Habitat utilisation and movement of black bream Acanthopagrus butcheri (Sparidae) in an Australia estuary. Marine Ecology Progress Series 366, 219–229.
26. Hoeksema, SD, Chuwen, BM and Potter, IC 2006, Massive mortalities of the black bream Acanthopagrus butcheri (Sparidae) in two normally-closed estuaries, following extreme increases in salinity. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 86(4), 893–897.
27. Kailola, PJ, Williams, MJ Stewart, PC, Reichelt, RE, McNee, A and Graive, C 1993, Australian Fisheries Recourses. Canberra, Australia. Vol. Australian Fisheries Resources pp.18–320 (Bureau of Resource Sciences, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation; Brisbane).
28. Kemp J, Brown L, Bridge N and Conron S 2013, Black Bream Stock Assessment 2012. Fisheries Victoria Assessment Report No 42.
29. Kuiter, RH 1993, ʹCoastal fishes of southeastern Australia.ʹ (University of Hawaii Press: Honolulu, Hawaii).
30. Lyle, JM, Stark KE and Tracey SR 2014, 2012-13 survey of recreational fishing in Tasmania. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Hobart.
31. Lyle, JM, Stark, KE, Ewing, GP and Tracey, SR 2019, 2017-18 Survey of recreational fishing in Tasmania. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Hobart, Tasmania.
32. Lyle, JM, Tracey, SR, Stark KE and Wotherspoon, S 2009, 2007–08 survey of recreational fishing in Tasmania. Tasmania Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute, Hobart.
33. Murphy, JJ, Ochwada-Doyle, FA, West, LD, Stark, Hughes, JM and Taylor, MD 2022, Survey of recreational fishing in NSW, 2019/20 - Key results. Fisheries Final Report Series No. 161.
34. Murphy, JJ, Ochwada-Doyle, FA, West, LD, Stark, KE and Hughes, JM 2020, The NSW Recreational Fisheries Monitoring Program - survey of recreational fishing, 2017/18. NSW DPI - Fisheries Final Report Series No. 158.
35. Norriss, JV, Tregonning, JE, Lenanton, RCJ and Sarre, GA, 2002, Biological synopsis of the black bream, Acanthopagrus butcheri (Munro)(Teleostei: Sparidae) in Western Australia with reference to information from other southern states. Fisheries Research Report No.93, Department of Fisheries, Western Australia.
36. Ochwada-Doyle, F, Roberts, D, Gray, C, Barnes, L, Haddy, J and Fearman, J 2012, Characterizing the biological traits and life history of Acanthopagrus (Sparidae) hybrid complexes: implications for conservation and management. Journal of Fish Biology, 81: 1540–1558.
37. Roberts, DC, Gray, CA, West RF and Ayre, DJ 2009, Evolutionary impacts of hybridization and interspecific gene flow on an obligately estuarine fish. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 22: 27–35.
38. Roberts, DG, Gray, CA, West, RJ and Ayre, DJ 2010, Marine genetic swamping: hybrids replace an obligately estuarine fish. Molecular Ecology, 19: 508–520.
39. Roberts, DG, Gray, CA, West, RJ and Ayre, DJ 2011, Temooral stability of a hybrid swarm between the migratory marine and estuaries fishes Acnathopagrus australis and A. butcheri, Marine Ecology Progress Series, 421: 199–204
40. Ryan, KL, Lai, EKM and Smallwood, CB 2022, Boat-based recreational fishing in Western Australia 2020/21. Fisheries Research Report No. 327 Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia. 221pp.
41. Sarakinis, KG, Reis-Santos, P, Donnellan, SC, Ye, Q, Earl, J and Gillanders, BM 2024, Strong philopatry in an estuarine-dependent fish. Ecology and Evolution, 14(3), e10989.
42. Sarre, GA and Potter, IC 2000, Variation in age compositions and growth rates of Acanthopagrus butcheri (Sparidae) among estuaries: some possible contributing factors. Fishery Bulletin 98, 785–799.
43. Smart, JJ, McGarvey, R, Feenstra, J, Drew, MJ, Earl, J, Durante, L, Beckmann, CL, Matthews, JM, Mark, K, Bussell, J, Davey, J, Tsolos, A and Noell, C 2023, Assessment of the South Australian Marine Scalefish Fishery in 2021/22. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2017/000427-6. SARDI Research Report Series No. 1184. 259pp.
44. Steer, MA, Fowler, AJ, Rogers, PJ, Bailleul, F, Earl, J, Matthews, D, Drew, M, and Tsolos, A, 2020, Assessment of the South Australian Marine Scalefish Fishery in 2018. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2017/000427-3. SARDI Research Report Series No. 1049. 214pp.
45. Tate, AC, Rudd, LJ and Smallwood, CB 2022, Shore-based recreational fishing in the Perth Metropolitan area: 2022. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Perth. Report 326.
46. van der Meulen, DE, Walsh, CT, Reinfelds, IV, Payne, NL, Ives, MC, Roberts, DG, Craig, JR, Gray, CA and Taylor, MD 2023, Estuarine movements in a sparid hybrid complex. Marine and Freshwater Research, 74: 625–640.
47. Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) 2023, Media release September 2023. Changes to bolster black bream fishing future.
48. Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) 2023, Victorian Fisheries Authority News 15 Sep 2023. Changes to bolster black bream fishing future.
49. Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA), June 2020. Gippsland Lakes Recreational Fishery Plan 2020. 20 pp.
50. Victorian Fisheries Authority, Broadhurst, M, Earl, J, Duffy, R, and Krueck, N, 2021, Southern Calamari Sepioteuthis australis, in Toby Piddocke, Crispian Ashby, Klaas Hartmann, Alex Hesp, Patrick Hone, Joanne Klemke, Stephen Mayfield, Anthony Roelofs, Thor Saunders, John Stewart, Brent Wise and James Woodhams (eds) 2021, Status of Australian fish stocks reports 2020, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.
51. Walker, S and Neira, F J 2001, Aspects of the reproductive biology and early life history of black bream, Acanthopagrus butcheri (Sparidae), in a brackish lagoon system in southeastern Australia. Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology, 4, 135–142.
52. Williams, J, Hindell, JS, Swearer, SE and Jenkins GP 2012, Influence of freshwater flows on the distribution of eggs and larvae of black bream Acanthopagrus butcheri within a drought-affected estuary.
53. Williams, J, Hindell, JS, Swearer, SE and Jenkins, GP 2012, Influence of freshwater flows on the distribution of eggs and larvae of black bream Acanthopagrus butcheri within a drought affected estuary. Journal of Fish Biology, 80, 2281–2301.
54. Ye, Q, Bucater, L and Short, D 2022, Coorong fish condition monitoring 2008-2021: Black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri), greenback flounder (Rhombosolea tapirina) and smallmouthed hardyhead (Atherinosoma microstoma) populations. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2011/000471-9. SARDI Research Report Series No. 1129. 77 pp.